Other clubs and societies

Overview

In the Michaelmas term, the club focuses on the basics of kayak paddling with all sessions based on the water. Over the winter months, the group has a cold weather programme of theory sessions, boat maintenance and pool training. In the spring, the club returns to the water.

Meetings

The club meets fortnightly on Tuesday between 4.30pm and 7.30pm.

Trips

The club runs two trips annually. The first covers basic white water skills in kayak on the River Dee in Wales, while the second, in the summer, usually incorporates a long distance paddle by canoe with wild camping along the way.

Climbing Club is open to all ages and abilities and provides an exciting way to improve core strength, balance and flexibility.

Meetings

Training takes place on our own climbing wall. Drop-in sessions for novices are on Tuesday and Thursday lunchtimes; advanced club meets on Wednesday after school between 4.30pm and 6.30pm.

Trips

We visit local climbing walls and take part in competitions. Each year there are two trips. One based in the Peak District focused on rock climbing and the other based in Wales focused on mountaineering.

This group focuses on developing canoeing skills in line with the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme (D of E). Training develops students' navigation, cooking, hiking and campcraft skills, as well as their independence. The ultimate aim of the group is to complete an unaided three day journey through the Norfolk Broads.

Meetings

Training takes place between 1.15pm and 2.00pm in term time and focuses on route planning and D of E training.

Trips

There are two trips over the course of the year: the training weekend held in Michaelmas term, which provides students with a grounding in basic paddling skills, and a summer expedition in April, which is the culmination of the year’s training. On the summer expedition, students venture to the Norfolk Broads, paddling routes they have planned themselves and can opt to be assessed for the D of E Silver Award.

This group focuses on developing trekking skills in line with the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme (D of E). The ultimate aim of the group is to complete an unaided five-day trek in the Lake District.

Meetings

Training takes place between 1.15pm and 2.00pm in term time and focuses on route planning and D of E training.

Trips

There are two trips over the course of the year: a training weekend, which focuses on providing students with a grounding in hiking and camping in the UK hills, and a summer expedition, where students will trek their own planned routes across the Lake District Fells and and can opt to be assessed for the D of E Gold Award.

Volunteers in this group form part of the staff leadership team and can help deliver training sessions and instruct on expeditions. It is very rewarding for both the volunteers and the younger students they work alongside. To work as a PES volunteer, students must have at least one years’ experience as a member of a PES group.

Meetings

Volunteers can work with one of the following groups: PES Summit 10 (weekly meetings on Tuesdays 4.30-6pm, Prep Outdoor Pursuits (six meetings on Mondays 4-6.15pm), PES Ascent Group (Weekly meeting on Fridays 5.30-8.30pm).